Mange in foxes

[bunnylover]

Originally Posted by Words

Bunnylover, all the veterinary sites I've looked at say that sarcoptic mange is eminently treatable in dogs. Also it's life-cycle is 2-3 weeks, so can be broken. The mite can also live off-host for a few days, so re-infection is a possibility (which is the main problem in treating wild foxes) but standard care of domestic pets is usually more than adequate.

The preferred method of treatment in domestic animals is not dietary supplements, but rather the various drugs treatments available. Ivermectin is used successfully with foxes, including pregnant vixens. I treated one a year ago with bad mange. The result? 7 very healthy mange-free cubs.

You treat the fox it uses the same burrow or another fox uses the same burrow. How do you catch the fox????how long does it have to be in captivity to be treated????will this stop the spread to others once released??.Will this stop the others infected reinfecting thesame animal??If not how do you catch him again????
Assuming all this of course is scarcoptic mange and not follicular mange,how long does it take you to find all this out??While the fox is kept in a cage ,scared.Mange is mostly common in areas of overpopulation,so the simple and most common sense answer is put the animal to sleep,and dispose of the corpse by incineration.

[Words]

Sarcoptic mange is more likely (adult fox, significant baldness over rear flanks and back) but the treatment is the same anyway (ivermectin).

I agree that unless you have a good relationship with the fox, treatment is tricky and may require capture. In my case, the foxes are so regular that it's possible to target feed if needed (I don't regularly feed foxes, but will target an ill one). No certainty that there won't be re-infestation, but to date the foxes we've treated have recovered and not been re-infested to our knowledge (they're regular so we can generally check). If we do have to treat again, so what? It's easy. It works. And as I say there haven't been signs of a major outbreak (eg the cubs around the adults have been fine).

This - by the way - is a heck of lot easier than trying to trap/kill a fox. A major outbreak may well need a different strategy, but given an otherwise healthy fox (possibly with young to feed) I can't see an issue with attempting treatment where possible.

[bunnylover]

How do you treat a fox unless you trap him,then you ve no chance of a fox getting trapped again??Just curious.

[Words]

Well for me it's either easy or impossible. With the foxes that let me photograph them, they are so familiar with me that feeding them is easy. It's then just a matter of waiting for the right fox to show and telling it to wait (seriously) and getting the treatment from indoors. During treatment (4 weeks, once a week at weekly intervals) I feed the target fox daily to keep an eye on it and get it used to coming for food. Feeding stops after the last treatment, other than the occasional tidbit if I want to get a close up photo.

If the fox isn't co-operative there's not a lot I can do. But to an extent that's the same for trapping. If the animal isn't a regular visitor (ie you are on its main territory) treatment or trapping is going to be very hit and miss.

Out of interest are you in a rural or urban setting? I'm curious because I suspect the treatment debate is somewhat location-specific.

[bunnylover]

Originally Posted by Words

Well for me it's either easy or impossible. With the foxes that let me photograph them, they are so familiar with me that feeding them is easy. It's then just a matter of waiting for the right fox to show and telling it to wait (seriously) and getting the treatment from indoors. During treatment (4 weeks, once a week at weekly intervals) I feed the target fox daily to keep an eye on it and get it used to coming for food. Feeding stops after the last treatment, other than the occasional tidbit if I want to get a close up photo.

If the fox isn't co-operative there's not a lot I can do. But to an extent that's the same for trapping. If the animal isn't a regular visitor (ie you are on its main territory) treatment or trapping is going to be very hit and miss.

Out of interest are you in a rural or urban setting? I'm curious because I suspect the treatment debate is somewhat location-specific.

I live on the edge of a small town,a lot of people hunt and shoot in the country side around our town and mangey foxes are a rarity ,i have only seen one in 15 years ,but i have seen some scabby scrawny looking foxes in town so i suppose if you live in town or are dealing with fox in town the shootng ,hunting option is not an option.

[Words]

Well actually we're semi-rural, but the foxes are commonly seen in the built-up parts. It makes me wonder if mange is really related to over-crowding (rural foxes get it too), or whether it's simply that we see foxes more often in towns and therefore see more of the ones with mange. Not because there are more mangy foxes in town, but because there are more people around to do the seeing. I spend many hours out on the downs but have yet to see a fox there. On the other hand I can look out of my window most nights and see them trotting along the pavement.

[bunnylover]

Originally Posted by Words

Well actually we're semi-rural, but the foxes are commonly seen in the built-up parts. It makes me wonder if mange is really related to over-crowding (rural foxes get it too), or whether it's simply that we see foxes more often in towns and therefore see more of the ones with mange. Not because there are more mangy foxes in town, but because there are more people around to do the seeing. I spend many hours out on the downs but have yet to see a fox there. On the other hand I can look out of my window most nights and see them trotting along the pavement.

I was speaking mainly ,not just from observer but even as a hunter ,i have only came across a few and only even heard of a few in the country as such.I always assumed it was the dustbin feeding habits and rat feeding that was the main cause in towns,also the places they share with rodents ,only guessing though.

[Kerry]

Disease in any animal is down to susceptibility and in towns the foxes are more likely to be eating scraps, tinned food that people put out, etc thus making them less healthy. A country fox is going to be eating a far healthier diet so will be less susceptible to ailments of any sort. The vit mix that was given will be improving the animals health by giving the nutrients that are lacking in the diet: healthier animal = less susceptibility to disease.

[wildaboutharry]

Hi. For years I have successfully treated Mange in Foxes with a Homeopathic remedy called Arsenicum/Sulphur.. The cost is about £6 for a bottle that will last for ever. Treatment couldn't be simpler.. Put 3 drops on a Digestive biscuit & throw at the foot of infected Fox (or leave out for them).. They LOVE biscuits & the potion starts working within a day or two. I give this treated biscuit to the Fox twice a day & continue until they have regained all their fur. I have treated Foxes that have had NO fur & covered in festering sores successfully..
I have tried to get my local Vets interested in this treatment ( I am nothing to do with Homeopathy) but they are only interested in their VERY expensive 'hit & miss' chemicals.
I was totally amazed at how 3 drops of this stuff twice a day could totally treat this horrendous Canine condition.. Will obviously also work on your Dog.
You could also join National Fox Welfare Society & they send out this medication for free.
Steve

[wildliferescuer]

I have to say that in all our years of treating mange in foxes we have never known the homeopathic treatment to work. It does help to alleviate the itching bu has never totally got rid of the mites (the cause of the problem). For the past 10 years we have had 100% success with Stronghold, the spot-on treatment for dogs. Unlike treating a dog, it would obviously be impossible to use it as a spot-on for a fox, so it is given orally in food & works every time. We have also treated a roe deer with mange successfully. There is also no need to trap the fox & subject it to the stress of captivity as long as it is taking food in a garden regularly.